I’m excited to introduce a new category today: Tips & Techniques. I hope this will turn into a section that can provide you all with helpful tips to make home cooking a little easier. Feedback is much appreciated, so if you have any great tips or techniques to share, please add them via the comment form. The first tip I’m sharing is quite simple but very helpful nevertheless.
How to Reheat your Leftover French Fries the Right Way
I think this is a fitting first post in the new category. We all love French fries, but often times we have leftovers – my husband and I typically do since we try to limit our portions to avoid overeating. So last night we went to a great neighborhood bistro here in Brooklyn, NY and ended up with way too many fries for us to finish. And since I hate wasting food, I’ve decided to show you how I reheat my fries so they regain most of their crisp texture. The key here is high heat in a heavy-bottom pan, as opposed to throwing the fries into the oven or microwave. We need the direct contact to make them crispy.
Check out my other entry in the Tips & Techniques section, How to Make Homemade Garlic Mayo with a Hand Blender. It would go great with French fries.
Instructions below…
Soggy leftover fries right out of the fridge.
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan on medium-high with oil. I used my wide stainless steel pan.
Stir fries around the pan frequently to evenly crisp up.
Fries are crispy and golden brown. Ready to eat!
Coat pan with a high smoke point oil such as grapeseed or canola. Heat pan on medium-high, or until the oil begins to smoke. Add fries and coat with oil, stirring frequently. Depending on the thickness of your fries, cook for about 3-5 minutes.
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Thank you so much for posting this! I believe you may have made my Hubby’s day. We hate leftover fries because they are so soggy and nasty.
No problem, Dani! I hate soggy fries too so thought I’d share. I was so happy the first time we tried it 🙂
Such a simple thing, yet I wouldn’t have gotten it right until seeing this! Thanks for this one!
I know, it’s like a whole new batch of fries 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Thank you for this great time! I hate wasting food, even if its just fries.
Yes, same here. Thanks for stopping by, Ann!
Thanks for sharing, and the lesson hands on…I presume you could do the same with sweet potato fries too! Always enjoy learning something new…
Thanks, Susan. Yes, you can definitely do the same with sweet potato fries!
This is a wonderful trick! I will be using this. Thanks for sharing
Thanks! I just discovered this and it worked like a charm.
Glad you found this method, isn’t it great? 🙂
Thanks!! Just looked this up-tried it & YUMMY!!!
Awesome! Glad it worked out for you 🙂
Hey I just tried this and I literally said to myself “THIS IS FREAKING MAGICAL!!!” so I hope you don’t mind That I’m going to share this with everyone I know via Facebook!!!
Jeremy =D
Hey Jeremy – So glad it’s working for you and yes please share with everyone and let’s never eat soggy leftover fries again 😀
This is wonderful. And thank you for sharing this w/ us. However what about fries that’s have sauce on them already. Is it safe to use this method also?
Hi Briyona – I have not tried this method with sauce on the fries but let me know if you end up trying it yourself. Thanks for your comment!
ALL HAIL THIS RECIPE. I was super skeptical but still, i threw my day old 5 guys fries into a pan and started frying. THEY ARE ALMOST BETTER THAN THEY WERE YESTERDAY! I threw some vinegar on them and I’m sold. Thanks so much Barb! :)))
Isn’t it the best?? I’m so happy this method worked well for you too 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment Sarah!
Thanks so much for this idea! I was skeptical too, but I figured I would try it anyway. I have always reheated my fries in the oven but they were never as good. These were honestly better than the first day. I’ll be using this from now on!;)
Thanks for the feedback, Tiffany. Isn’t this method amazing?
I’m not gonna lie- I’m super stoked to try this in the next 30mins! Thanks for posting
Awesome Dayna! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you.
OMG!! PEOPLE PEOPLE. WHY have we been throwing away old fries for so long??? THIS is the best way to eat fries- they are so crispy and just simply amazing- I sprinkled garlic powder, season salt, and parsly flakes on top, and served with a mayo/tabasco dipping sauce- my husband and i both agreeded these were better than expected, since im a waitress at CHILIS- and im ALWAYS bringing leftover fries home- I am def going to be bringing all leftover fries from the night home haha- time to get FAT!!! Thanks a million for this!! you rock!
Haha yes! Stop throwing away your leftover fries people! I’m so happy you and your husband loved this method as much as we did 🙂
Hi, I don’t have any metal pans, just glass. Do you think this would work with a (heavy bottom) pyrex frying pan? I don’t have a clue as to the science of cooking, but I love 5 Guys fries and 3 of us can’t even finish a regular order — would love to save them from the trash.
Hi Joan – So sorry for the late response! Yes, I think a pyrex frying pan should work. Let me know if you try that out, good luck!
I’m going to try this with home fries tonight! Hope it works out.
It should work 😉 Good luck, Lisa!